Ermita workers snub Osmeña

CEBU, Philippines - Barangay Ermita workers yesterday snubbed Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and city councilors during a meeting that was called in order to address the current situation in the village.

Of the close to 200 barangay workers, only Barangay Secretary Erwin Peñaflor showed up yesterday in the meeting. City Market Administrator Winefredo Orcullo had called for Osmeña’s visit.

Osmeña had designated Orcullo as the village caretaker after all Ermita barangay officials were preventively suspended for failing to assist the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency during an anti-illegal drug operation in their area.

Orcullo said he informed the workers beforehand that Osmeña and some city councilors will hold a meeting with them yesterday.

He, however, received a text message early in the morning from Peñaflor that the workers could not attend the meeting.

“Sir, my apology the barangay workers won’t attend your request of meeting.  Very sorry,” the text message reads.

As a form of disciplining the defiant workers, Osmeña is requiring them to submit their daily time record (DTR) and accomplishments to ensure they are efficient.

“I require them to submit their daily time record.  It is disciplinary measure.  They are playing hard to get.  That’s the matter,” he told reporters yesterday.

Osmeña together with Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan Councilors Margarita “Margot” Osmeña, Sisinio Andales, Eugenio Gabuya Jr., Mary Ann Delos Santos, Alvin Arcilla, Joy Augustus Young, and two independent councilors – Nendell Hanz Abella and David Tumulak – visited the barangay and had lunch there.

With his visit, he noticed how the workers did not heed the request of Orcullo to hold a meeting together with the city officials to address their concerns.

In a separate interview, Orcullo admitted that he received “cold” treatment from the barangay workers but said he understands them after knowing from Peñaflor that the workers, who were appointed by the suspended officials, are still emotional about what had happened.

“Di man sad nako sila mapugos kay matod pa ni Erwin ang ilahang simpatiya naa pa lagi sa nasuspenso nga barangay captain.  Emotional pa gyud sila. Basta akong ingon nila, i-perform lang gyud ang ilahang regular nga bulohaton sa barangay and kung naa moy problema kahibaw man mo unsaon ko pagduol,” he said.

Orcullo said he could not yet evaluate the barangay workers because he has not yet received their DTR and accomplishment report as of press time.

“Lisod pagsulti ana kay nangayo pa kog daily report nila.  Wala pamay na-submit. Although gahapon pa nadawat ang memo from the mayor nga mo-submit silag daily accomplishment sa akoa.  Gipangutana si Erwin, wala pa siya nakadawat sa memo,” he said.

Peñaflor, for his part, said he attended Orcullo’s request for meeting, even if the other workers could not or decided not to attend because he does not want to disrespect the mayor.

“Isip mayor sa siyudad natural atoa siyang itahod isip amahan sa siyudad.  So, welcome siya moari sa barangay. Yes, ni-coordinate sila nato maong ni-provide tag venue ug uban pa,” Peñaflor said.

As to the pending payment of barangay water and electricity bills, Osmeña vowed that the city government will serve as the guarantor as of the moment until the Department of Interior and Local Government can appoint someone to take over the leadership.

He had instructed Orcullo to get the copies of the bills so that they can address the matter.

“Nangayo ko og photocopy sa bills pero dili ang city ang mobayad sa ilahang bills.  The least that we could do is to guarantee in behalf of Ermita nga mobayad gyud ta.  Ang hinungdan nga wala ka bayad or dili kabayad, di man tungod way kwarta, tungod kay legal nga complications nga walay makapirma,” Orcullo said. (FREEMAN)